FM 308 - Flow Measurement by Venturi and Orifice meter

Objectives:

1. To find the coefficient of discharge for venturi meter.

2. To find the coefficient of discharge for orifice meter.

Theory:

Venturi meter and orifice meter are the commonly used flow meters for measuring
mass/volumetric flow rate or velocity of the flowing fluid. These flow meters are also known as
variable head meters. They are categorized as full-bore meter as measurement of the fluid takes
place when it flows through a conduit or channel.

Venturi meter:

The venturi meter has a converging conical inlet, a cylindrical throat and a diverging
recovery cone. It has no projections into the fluid, no sharp corners and no sudden changes in
contour. The following figure shows the venturi meter with uniform cylindrical section before
converging entrance, a throat and divergent outlet.

Convergent Throat
Cylindrical inlet
Entrance Divergent outlet

D d

Pressure taps

Figure 1. Venturi meter

The converging inlet section decreases the area of the fluid stream, causing the velocity
to increase and the pressure to decrease. The low pressure is measured in the center of the
cylindrical throat as the pressure will be at its lowest value, where neither the pressure nor the
velocity will be changing. As the fluid enters the diverging section the pressure is largely
recovered lowering the velocity of the fluid. The major disadvantages of this type of flow
detection are the high initial costs for installation and difficulty in installation and inspection.

The Venturi effect is the reduction in fluid pressure that results when a fluid flows
through a constricted section of pipe. The fluid velocity must increase through the constriction to
satisfy the equation of continuity, while its pressure must decrease due to conservation of energy:
the gain in kinetic energy is balanced by a drop in pressure or a pressure gradient force. An
equation for the drop in pressure due to Venturi effect may be derived from a combination of
Bernoulli’s principle and the equation of continuity.

The equation for venturi meter is obtained by applying Bernoulli equation and equation
of continuity assuming an incompressible flow of fluids through manometer tubes. If V1 and V2
are the average upstream and downstream velocities and ρ is the density of the fluid, then using
Bernoulli’s equation we get,

……………………… (1)

where 1 and 2 are kinetic energy correction factors at two pressure tap positions.

Assuming density of fluid to be constant, the equation of continuity can be written as:

……………………….. (2)

where D1 and D2 are diameter of pipe and throat in meters respectively.

Eliminating V1 from equation (1) and equation (2) we get,

…………………...... (3)

where β is the ratio of the diameter of throat to that of diameter of pipe.

If we assume a small friction lose between two pressure taps, the above equation (3) can be
corrected by introducing empirical factor Cv and written as,

…………………........ (4)
The small effect of the kinetic energy factors α1 and α2 are also taken into account in the
definition of Cv.

Volumetric flow rate Qa can be calculated as:

Qa = V2S2 = ……………………… (5)

where, S2 is the cross sectional area of throat in m2.

Substituting (P1 – P2) = ρgH in above equation (5) we get,

Qa = V2S2 = …………………………. (6)

where ΔH is the manometric height difference * (specific gravity of manometric fluid – specific
gravity of manometric fluid of water).

Orifice meter:

An orifice meter is essentially a cylindrical tube that contains a plate with a thin hole in
the middle of it. The thin hole essentially forces the fluid to flow faster through the hole in order
to maintain flow rate. The point of maximum convergence usually occurs slightly downstream
from the actual physical orifice this is the reason orifice meters are less accurate than venturi
meters, as we cannot use the exact location and diameter of the point of maximum convergence
in calculations. Beyond the vena contracta point, the fluid expands again and velocity decreases
as pressure increases.

Head loss

Vena Contracta
D2
D
1

D
Variable distance
1

Figure 2. Orifice meter

 The above figure 2 shows the orifice meter with the variable position of vena contracta
with respect to plate. Orifice meter uses the same principle of continuity equation and Bernoulli
principle to calculate the volumetric flow rate, as shown above for venturi meter.

So,

Qa = V2S2 = …………………………. (7)

Here Co is the orifice discharge coefficient.

Procedure:

1. Check all the clamps for tightness.

2. Check whether the water level in the tank is sufficient such that the suction pipe of pump
is completely immersed.
3. For measurement through venturi, open the outlet valve of the venturi meter and close the
valve of orifice meter.
4. For a good amount of variation in discharge also close the by-pass valve of pump.
5. Now switch on the pump.
6. Open the gate valve and start the flow.
7. If any air bubbles exist in U-tube manometer remove them through air cock valve.
Operate the air cock valve slowly and cautiously to avoid mercury run away through
water.
8. Wait for a while for stabilization of flow.
9. Close the gate valve of measuring tank and measure the time for discharge of five liters
of water and the manometer difference. Before taking any measurements, make sure the
flow is stable.
10. Repeat the procedure by changing the discharge by slowly opening the by-pass valve and
take the six readings.
11. Repeat the same for orifice meter.
Given data:

For venturi meter:

Cross sectional area of throat in venturi meter (S2) = 1.76*10-4 m2

Ratio of diameter of throat to pipe (β) = 0.4848

For orifice meter:

Cross sectional area of throat in venturi meter (S2) = 1.54*10-4 m2

Ratio of diameter of throat to pipe (β) = 0.4904

Observations and calculations:

A) Venturi meter

Reading no. h1 (cm) h2 (cm) time (seconds) Qm (m3/sec)

B) Orifice meter

Reading no. h1 (cm) h2 (cm) time (seconds) Qm (m3/sec)

References:

1. Book: Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering’ by McCabe and Smith, 5th Edition,
McGraw Hill, Inc. pages 214-221.

2. Website: www.ddc-online.org/Input-Output-Tutorial/Flow.html (visited: 22 July 2011)

3. Website: www.usbr.gov/pmts/hydraulics_lab/pubs/wmm/chap14_03.html (visited: 22

July 2011)